Alkaline Fixers and Local Bleachin

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Still getting aquainted with alkaline fixers. My normal local bleaching process uses 1/8th tsp. KFeCN dissolved in 21 ml. Water + 21 ml. Hypo
+ 2 drops of PhotoFlow, a brush and a small stream of water (a la Barnbaum). Periodically, as required, I soak the print in my then ACID rapid fixer for 30 or so second before continuing to bleach. Then, soad print in fixer for 1-minunte, followed by a wash aide, then washing.
Queston:
1. When using ALkALINE fixer, should I periodically dip print in water or alkaline fixer (and final fix in alkaline fixer)? I assume no need for wash aide if using alkaline fixer?
2. I would like to understand the chemistry regarding why after bleaching print must be put in fixer (rather than just a thorough water rinse)?
Thanks for your help in advance.